TUCSON — Greg Reynolds slumped toward the clubhouse Monday afternoon, a grimace creasing his face. The star-crossed right-hander was hurt, suffering a bruised right elbow after getting smoked by a line drive in live batting practice.

Asked if he would miss his scheduled Cactus League debut Friday against the San Francisco Giants, “More than likely.”

He was slated to pitch two innings in Scottsdale, following Jeff Francis and Esmil Rogers. The Rockies already adjusted their Thursday schedule, removing Rafael Betancourt, who is still building strength after battling a three-week illness leading up to spring training.

Reynolds said he didn’t think anything was broken. His arm was wrapped in ice above his elbow, and he was being monitored by the training staff. It’s just the latest incident of bad luck for the former first-round pick. He made just one start last season, sabotaged by a rare shoulder problem that caused a popping sound when he threw. It was corrected through surgery this winter, and Reynolds has been encouraged by his progress this spring. His chance to impress, however, will have to wait as the swelling goes down in his elbow.

TUCSON — Manager Jim Tracy began the strategic aligning of his rotation on a soggy Sunday at Hi Corbett Field, setting up the matchups for the first three Cactus League games. Ace Ubaldo Jimenez is not throwing Thursday’s first game or the split-squad against the Giants, a move designed to keep him in a line for opening day, while also avoiding giving San Francisco any additional looks at the right-hander. Jeff Francis will throw Friday against the Giants, instead, with pitching coach Bob Apodaca there to monitor his outing.

Jimenez is scheduled to work three innings, not the customary two, because “he’s farther along than anyone else in camp after pitching in winterball,” Tracy explained.

TUCSON — It’s at this point in the morning, I like to give a written cup of coffee to the loyal readers. A pick-me-up of quotes or anecdotes gathered from the morning clubhouse session. That’s a problem today. The clubhouse was closed for drug testing, and there is so much rain around the ballpark that Noah’s Ark is double-parked on East Camino Campestre.

This 41-degree morning was already going to different before the random urine-in-the-cup exercise. It’s photo day. So players, beginning at 7 a.m., are run through a series of stations of poses, clicks and snaps. The order is based on service time. So Todd Helton and Jason Giambi both received the latest assignments, approximately 8:45 a.m.

As for the practice plan, there is an adjusted one. The Rockies will get minimal work in the batting tunnels, where guys can hit and throw. So that part won’t suffer much, but fielding is problematic.

The Rockies are supposed to hold an intrasquad game tomorrow at Hi Corbett, featuring many of their young pitchers. That could be in danger if the faucets don’t turn off soon.

Gotta say every time a ballpark gets drenched like this, I always think of the “Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey” skit on Saturday Night Live. Forgive me if I am a bit off, but it goes something like this.

A father and son are watching it pour and the boys asks, “Why does it rain?” Dad responds, “That’s God way of crying.”

The boy follows: “Why is God crying?” The Dad: “Probably because of something you did.”

TUCSON — Jeff Francis took away two distinct positives from facing hitters today. He didn’t think once about his surgically-repaired shoulder and he kept the ball down.

“But I was less than satisfied with my delivery. I was rushing a bit. And that’s something I have battled my whole career,” Francis said.

Francis threw for 10 minutes, firing 39 pitches to Troy Tulowitzki, Clint Barmes and Dexter Fowler. He told the hitters which pitches were coming and he threw behind an L screen. All the hitters praised Francis’ fastball and changeup. The curveball is a work in progress as it doesn’t have a sharp bite yet. Francis will throw again Sunday.

Footnotes

Owner Charlie Monfort looked around and said what I was thinking, “I have never seen this many fans on the backfield.” It was a huge turnout to watch the first practice. Two playoff berths in three years doesn’t hurt.

… The Rockies will have their union meeting this afternoon. Among those here for the union: former Rockies pitcher Mike Myers.

Brad Hawpe reacts after striking out while swinging against the Arizona Diamondbacks to end the first inning on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009. (David Zalubowski, The Associated Press)

TUCSON — Spring training can bring the pain. Especially the first few weeks as players ramp up batting practice and conditioning drills. Even their feet and back hurt from standing in cleats. It’s all part of getting ready for the season. No complaints. Just a necessary ritual.

Then there was Brad Hawpe. He elected, like a lot of other players, to sit out today. But the difference was that he showed up at the ballpark and didn’t work out. The reason? He had an ingrown toenail. What, a root canal wasn’t available?

“It was painful. I can run now. I will be fine. I remember (former catcher) Danny Ardoin had one removed and played that same day,” Hawpe said.

With pitchers a week into drills, there are more ace bandages and ice packs strapped to shoulders and legs. I told Tim Redding that he looked like a mummy, to which he responded, “I feel like Paul Phillips.” A catcher’s favorite day of spring training is the first. The knees never feel better.

Footnotes
Troy Tulowitzki wore a bright purple shirt during optional BP that read “Jesus Loves the Rockies.” … Several players used today as a chance to take a break, golf, etc. … Manager Jim Tracy will address the entire team around 10:30 tomorrow. As he told the pitchers and catchers, he will stress that they should embrace expectations and challenge themselves to improve though the daily drill work.

Colorado Rockies pitcher Jorge De La Rosa works out with a medicine ball during baseball spring training in Tucson, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010. (Ed Andrieski, The Associated Press)

TUCSON — Manager Jim Tracy has been struck by the transformation of Jorge De La Rosa. He said there’s no comparison between the pitcher’s appearance this spring and last February. The numbers support that assertion. De La Rosa has dropped from 231 pounds to 213.

“I feel better at this weight,” said De La Rosa. “I just did it by eating a little better and working out.”

De La Rosa has also turned heads with his performance. His bullpen sessions have featured much better command, according to Tracy, and pitcher Aaron Cook named De La Rosa the Most Improved Player based on his bunting and fielding.

Everyone has reported following the arrival today of Melvin Mora and Jay Payton. Mora said he weighed offers from the Rangers and Seattle before accepting the Rockies’ offer to be a utilityman.

TUCSON — The first sign that something was amiss was in the workout tent. Manuel Corpas was riding the elipitical instead of going station-to-station with his pitching group. Corpas, it turns out, has a slightly tweaked hamstring. It kept him out of pitchers fundamental practice, but is unlikely to keep him off the mound. I will monitor it. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious as I know from talking to Corpas he’s anxious to make a good first impression when the games begin.

The Rockies finished their workout today without any interruption. The rain stayed away. Couple of quick thoughts:
–Wow can Hector Gomez swing that bat. I can see why this kid has stuck around on the 40-man roster despite being plaqued by injuries. He goes old school, no batting gloves. He was working with hitting instructor Don Baylor on getting into a better load position. But man, he does he have a whippy swing. The ball just flees his bat.

–Todd Helton’s back is fine. He was regularly lining shots to all gaps and parked around five home runs beyond the right-field fence. Ian Stewart, who is working on a new swing with less movement in his stance, slammed nearly a dozen home runs.

–Clint Barmes has gone back to an open stance, a slightly less exaggerated version of what Garrett Atkins employed. Barmes felt like he was closing himself off was pitchers started pounding him inside. This should help him get to inside pitches more.

TUCSON — On the first day of group stretch, Christian Friedrich was the first prospect to stand in front of the group and give the Cliff Notes version of his life: Family history. School. Draft round. Signing bonus.

The awkward moment is a bonding exercise, an attempt to make the young guys fit in a little better.

Friedrich, 22, didn’t mind. Sandpaper couldn’t wipe the smile off his face during his first big league spring training.

“Everything is better here. The food, the shampoo in the showers, you name it,” Friedrich said.

By all accounts and measures, Friedrich is one of the top 50 minor league prospects in baseball. A hard-throwing left-hander who was selected in the first round of the 2008 draft, the Illinois native compiled a 2.41 ERA in 119-plus innings at both levels of Class-A ball. Friedrich averaged an eye-popping 12 strikeouts per nine innings. He sits around 91 to 92 miles per hour on his fastball, and has a good offspeed pitches. Given his size — 6-foot-4, 215 pounds — and makeup, it’s not hard to see him racing through the system this year and getting a September callup.

“You can feel it getting a little closer when you are here,” Friedrich said. “I need to work on my fastball command. It’s too inconsistent. I have spent time watching Jeff Francis in this camp. I can learn from him.”

Footnotes
The sun is back out on this cool Sunday morning (52 degrees). The pitchers are working on the back field, with the position players preparing to hit at the main Hi Corbett Field. .. Greg Smith is stronger for a reason. The pitcher has gained 15 pounds and is healthy again. “What I am doing now feels normal again. Last year was different. It was one thing after another with bad luck,” Smith said.

Jeff Francis throws from the mound in Tucson this week. (AP, Ed Andrieski)

TUCSON — Because you asked, yes I saw Jeff Francis throw a side session today on a backfield. I don’t profess to be a pitching coach, though I do work with the 10-year-old and 12-year-old Longmont Outlawz competitive baseball teams. That has made me an expert on pop music and bubble gum flavors, but not all deliveries.

Anyway, here’s what I noticed right away with Francis. He’s throwing much more over the top, resembling the delivery he had until the latter part of the 2007 season. Shoulder pain caused him to compensate, which led to a three-quarter motion that was drastic he hardly recognized himself on video. Secondly, the ball is coming out of his hands free and easy. Throwing to catcher Mike McKenry, Francis located his fastball down in the zone and flipped in a few good curveballs that McKenry praised.

“I am not overcompensating for anything. I am not hesitating. My arm is doing what it’s supposed to do again,” Francis told me Friday afternoon.

Until Francis throws to hitters without a L screen in front of him, it’s hard to draw any conclusions. But it’s clear that he’s healthy. That’s a good start.

Other nuggets:

**Huston Street was painting at the knees in his side session. He looks way ahead schedule from last spring when he was working through a leg injury and wound up changing his placement on the pitching rubber. “There’s definitely a difference. He wasn’t like this early last spring,” said Paul Phillips, who caught Street’s session Friday.

**Miguel Olivo is going to spend extra time working on his receiving skills. The guy is impressive physically.

**Reliever Justin Speier started a new tradtion — the joke of the day. His first one was unprintable, but hilarious. Each new guy when introduced during stretch will be required to tell a joke. I like the idea. “Spring training is long, so you have to keep it loose. I set the bar high for the kids. They are going to have to come up with some pretty good jokes.”

TUCSON — Consider it a little lunch time snack to get through the day. During the Rockies’ one-hour open clubhouse session, I was able to talk to several players. Here a few highlights.

–Former first-round pick Greg Reynolds has teeth. I know this because he’s finally smiling again after the worst year of his professional career. Last season was ruined because of rare scapula/muscle problem. Every time he pitched, he heard a pop. To compensate, he began cutting off his delivery, the equivalent of a batter doing a check swing. The good news is that roughly four months after surgery to correct the problem. he’s throwing off a mound with his old motion.

“I am just concentrating on not taking the ball as far back, and really finishing my pitches. It was so frustrating before not knowing what was wrong,” Reynolds said. “I have no limitations. I am on the same schedule with all the other pitchers with a few extra rest days built in if I need them. My main goal is to stay healthy this spring and compete.”

Reynolds has been throwing primarily four-seam fastballs to really get comfortable with his arm slot after a year away from the mound. He faced hitters in the Dominican Republic a few weeks ago. “That was good for my confidence. And it was a relaxed setting where you could pump the brakes if you needed to.”

–Jorge De La Rosa sees no reason why he can’t duplicate or even improve on last season’s 16 wins. “I learned a lot about pitching that will help. I was much better about setting up the hitters,” said De La Rosa.

–Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales showed up this morning. They will be at practice this afternoon. Teammates really believe that Jimenez will win 20 games this season. And I don’t disagree.

–As part of his offseason, Huston Street worked out extensively with Matt Holliday and the Reds’ Homer Bailey in Austin, Texas.

TUCSON — At approximately 1 p.m. today, the Rockies’ pitchers and catchers will begin their first official workout. It’s always hard to tell the difference with this team because so many guys have been practicing all week. Here are some basics of spring for those who ask, and for those who are planning trips:

–The best time to get autographs and see workouts is before the games begin during the first week of March. Typically, the Rockies will stretch at 9 a.m. followed by pitchers fundamental drills and bullpen sessions. These include fielding, pick moves, bunting stations, etc. They are held on the back fields, which are open to the public. You can walk back there and bounce from field to field. Players are usually cool with signing a few autographs as they switch stations, it just depends on the time constraints of the drills.

–When the players report, they will hit on those fields. The highlight is usually on Field 5 where the power displays are the stuff of legend (I remember Vinny Castilla watching Matt Holliday and predict stardom).

–The actual Hi Corbett Field main complex is not open to the public. Right now, it’s hard to get to because of all the construction.

–The workouts usually end around 11:30 or so, followed by manager Jim Tracy’s briefing.

Hope that helps. As for today, it’s 63 degrees and sunny. Strength coach Brian Jordan and his staff are setting up cones for running drills. This first day of running usually provides some levity. Glendon Rusch was a classic in these drills, complaining to other pitchers for running too fast, thus making the fat guys look bad.

TUCSON — As first impressions go, Miguel Olivo isn’t about to take second to anyone. The Rockies’ new catcher arrived before 7 a.m. today and was already done with his first lifting workout by 8 a.m. as some pitchers began straggling into the ballpark.

“I love to workout,” said Olivo, his muscular body offering compelling evidence of just that. “I work out twice a day. One early in the morning and once in the afternoon.”

Yeah, me too, I said with a smile and a laugh. Can’t you tell? Olivo streches a lot to keep his flexibility, but admited, “I don’t know why I don’t get tight. I just don’t.”

Olivo wasn’t alone in his early morning wakeup call. He played catch with Greg Smith, and Chris Iannetta and Paul Lo Duca were headed to the weight room before 8:30 a.m. The pitchers and catchers just have to tell folks they are in Tucson. The first mandatory practice is tomorrow afternoon.

I will provide more updates as the day goes on. If you have specific questions, email me at trenck@denverpost.com or post them on the comments section and I will try to get to most of them.

The Rockies return to Tucson's Hi Corbett Field this week for spring training. (Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post)

TUCSON — Not so fast, Sparky.

DENVER — I haven’t left yet for Rockies spring training, but I’m counting down the hours. My new gig, just so you know, is my old gig. I covered the Rockies for The Post in their first two seasons, and now I’m back on the beat.

They keep telling me it’s a promotion. But then, they keep telling me the economy is rolling down the tracks too. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m back covering my favorite sport.

But enough about who’s doing the typing. What matters is what I figure to see once I arrive for the Rockies’ final spring in Tucson. As in, stability.

TUCSON — There used to be a clear line of separation. Pitchers and catchers would report first, followed a week later by position players. Now, it’s impossible to tell the difference. Has been that way for years with the Rockies. Under a bright sun, a handful of position players are taking batting practice today at Hi Corbett Field. The group includes, among others, Todd Helton, Clint Barmes and Eric Young Jr.

Helton welcomed me to the facility today with his usual well-timed jab. He looks great, having done hard work this offseason working out and treating his back. Troy Tulowitzki, who is doing some stuff for Long Beach State later this week, is expected to arrive Monday.

Even though guys have done this the better part of their life, these first few days require an adjustment. As pitcher Tim Redding was saying while warming up — “It’s the first time I have thrown outside in months.” Redding is bigger than I remember. He’s a strong guy. And he’s big enough to absorb a foul ball. I have nearly been hit a couple of times. I want to believe they were accidents.

Seen most of the pitchers today, including Huston Street, Rafael Betancourt, Juan Rincon, Jason Hammel and Jeff Francis.

Will keep you posted throughout the day. And yes, for those wondering, I am wearing sunscreen. Sorry I couldn’t resist.

Spring training is less than a week away. Pitchers and catchers report — one of the greatest phrases in the English language. Before heading to Tucson, we take one last look back at 2009. The local chapter of the BBWAA chapter announced their award winners today.

Player of the Year: Troy Tulowitzki
Pitcher of the Year: Ubaldo Jimenez
Rookie of the Year: Dexter Fowler
Good Guy (in dealing with the media): Huston Street

Tulowitzki rebounded from a slow April (.200, five RBIs) to finish with a .292 average, 32 home runs and 92 RBIs. Told of the award this morning, Tulowitzki said “nice” and thanked those writers who voted for him. Jimenez went 15-12 with a 3.47 ERA, pitching at least six innings in 29 starts. Fowler batted .266 with a franchise record 27 stolen bases for a rookie. Street was always accessible to reporters, and stood by his locker for nearly an hour answering questions after the Rockies were eliminated in the playoffs.

DENVER — There have been exactly zero times in Rockies’ history that they have lost a 15-game winner and didn’t blink. Right-hander Jason Marquis, an all-star last season, signed a free agent contract with the Nationals. The Rockies made no effort to retain him this winter, believing that the return of a healthy Jeff Francis can fill the void.

I talked to Francis at length today about his surgically-repaired shoulder, and it’s clear he’s jazzed for spring training. He has been able to maintain the same throwing program he did when he was healthy. He’s long-tossing at Coors Field regularly with Aaron Cook and, he will be pitching off a mound in roughly a week. I will have more on Francis this week in a feature story. But here’s a bit of news. In preparation for spring training, Francis will travel to the Rockies’ Dominican Academy during the first week of February for a 10-day stay. It’s undetermined if he will face hitters, but he will throw side sessions.

“It should give me a little a head start. I am hoping to get in a simulated game and some good workouts,” Francis said today. “I am anxious to get back out there on a mound in spring training. I shouldn’t have any limitations or be on any kind of different schedule (than the other pitchers).”

Francis owns a 51-44 record with a 4.74 ERA. The left-hander missed all of last season after undergoing surgery and was 4-10 in 2008 as he dealt with shoulder pain.

DENVER — Chris Iannetta’s three-year, $8.35-million contract with the Rockies includes what is becoming a common team loyalty clause.

In order to receive security and some peace of mind, Iannetta took a little less on his deal, which buys him out of his final three years of arbitration and includes a 2013 club option for $5 million in his first season of free agency. However, if Iannetta is traded any time before the 2013 season, he can void the club option and become a free agent. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe have identical provisions in their contracts.

“Hopefully this contract will help Chris relax. We all know how talented he is,” Tulowitzki said.

According to information obtained by The Denver Post, Iannetta’s contract, first reported here, breaks down thusly:

His base in the 2012 season can increase by $450,000 if he starts 140 games in either of the previous seasons. There are smaller escalators beginning with 100 starts.

Footnotes
Miguel Olivo’s defense has received mixed reviews during his career. He is known for having a cannon arm, but the Royals struggled with passed balls and wild pitches last season. Royals pitching coach Bob McClure said today that Olivo improved last season and took seriously his preparation with the pitchers, a necessity if he’s going to work well with Rockies manager Jim Tracy. “He’s very athletic and can be as good as he wants to be defensively,” McLure said.

DENVER — Without depth, contenders suffer a painful death. In their search for relievers, the Rockies added a familiar name. Right-hander Juan Rincon signed a minor-league deal last month that calls for an $800,000 salary if in the big leagues. Rincon, who received an invite to spring training, played a valuable role for the Rockies last summer before arm problems sabotaged his effectiveness. He posted a 7.52 ERA in 26 games for Colorado. He will receive $20,000 per month in the minor leagues, and can earn $175,000 in incentives for big league appearances, starting with $25,000 at 40 games and capping out at 70 games.

The Rockies would like to add one more late-inning arm and continue to talk to Jose Contreras’ agent. His price tag, thus far, has been prohibitive. Joe Beimel is also a possibility. As for rotation depth, the Rockies have called about right-hander Tim Redding.

With pitchers and catchers scheduled to report on Feb. 18, the Rockies still have some roster wrinkles to iron out. The bench remains a priority, with the club hopeful it can re-sign Jason Giambi. Giambi opened up his new club “Vanity” at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas this week. He’s a part owner in the venture, and lives in Vegas during the offseason. Sources hanging out at the club today told me that Giambi is still considering remaining with the Rockies because of his postiive experience last year.

The number of at-bats for Giambi would limited given his ability to only play first base, where Todd Helton rarely rests and Brad Hawpe is tentatively scheduled to spell him on occasion. Manager Jim Tracy has made it clear to Giambi this winter that he wants him back after his clutch pinch-hit performances. The Rockies also continue looking for a versatile reserve and have Robb Quinlan high on their wish list. Melvin Mora and Fernando Tatis are on their radar too.

With big league executives returning to work this week, the Rockies should finish their deal with catcher Miguel Olivo on a one-year deal with some type of option. After signing starter Marlon Byrd, the Cubs’ true interest in Ryan Spilborghs as a fourth outfielder should become more clear as well.

My take on baseball’s steroid era is nearly every player at least experimented with performance enhancing drugs, otherwise referred to as PEDs. Some may have taken one injection while in the minors. Some may have taken it for a six-week cycle. Some may have tried it for a year or so. Some may owe their entire career to PEDs.

My guess is more than 50 percent of the players, in the period from, say 1995-2000, ingested or injected a PED at least once. The minors pay poverty wages, in the thousands of dollars. The majors pay a king ranson, by the millions.

If you’re a minor-league shortstop, and you know the shortstop on the minor-league team is a juicer, you’re going to stay clean and be rewarded with a life of McDonald value meals? Oh, and meanwhile the guy coming up in Single-A is discovering the wonders of steroids.

All this while baseball bosses were turning their heads and not testing for steroids through 2001.

By the way, there’s no doubt in my mind pitchers used more than hitters. Every mph above 90 is precious in the majors. Steroids can not only help boost velocity, they aided a pitcher’s recovery so he could also throw hard in his next start or relief appearance. For recovery reasons, pitchers needed steroids more than hitters.

I don’t know where to draw the line on my Hall of Fame ballot, so I don’t draw it anywhere. They’re all in, if their merits otherwise allow.

McGwire hit 583 career home runs. That comes out to an average of 34 homers over 17 seasons. Sure, I believe he used. In my mind, they all did. Sorry all those ballplayers who stayed clean. The competition among the elite was so fierce, and the rewards were too great, for me to believe anything other than a small percentage tried it at least once. Is using once a lesser sin than using often?

I don’t believe this question can be answered by any mortal, not even a writer.

What does this have to do with the Broncos and the NFL? I am a football writer who is also lifetime member of the Baseball Writer’s Association of America, having covered the Rockies and Major League Baseball for 12 1/2 seasons. As such, I get a baseball Hall of Fame ballot each year.

Mike Klis formerly covered the Rockies before becoming one of The Denver Post’s Broncos beat writers.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.